firstinfamily RN

firstinfamily has 33 years experience as a RN.

Latest Activity

1. Loan forgiveness options? Help!

   firstinfamily replied to kaimkaim's topic in General Nursing

   The only government program that I know of that often offers to assist with student loan debt is working for the Indian Health Services. I don't know what is out in Seattle, but you might look into it. Also, being a new graduate your options will b...

2. I hate night shift

   firstinfamily replied to Wrangler156's topic in General Nursing

   We all want only the best for you and your family. All of us have made some sacrifices between our nursing careers and family needs. It does help to have a mature mate who understands that just because the shift is 7a-7p that does not mean you get ...

3. I hate night shift

   firstinfamily replied to Wrangler156's topic in General Nursing

   I am just guessing, but it almost sounds like you have not been married for very long. Working night shift takes a toll on any relationship. My husband and I have been married for 30 years, and I have worked various shifts. The best shift for me w...

4. But you're a nurse, you could've done this....

   firstinfamily replied to Madras's topic in Relations

   Personally, I would not have been very objective with my family members and you made the right call. As we all know, those who look "normal" at the scene can develop complications hours or days later, having them checked out through the hospital was...

5. Time To Start That Final Trip To The Locker Room?

   firstinfamily replied to Kooky Korky's topic in General Nursing

   I'm only 57 and thinking that I have at least another 10 years that I will have to work. I don't know all the names of the new medications nor the mattresses that we use. I most likely won't know that information 6 months from now. But I do know h...

6. Reporting a facility for staff ratio issues?

   firstinfamily replied to ICUEDMursenary's topic in General Nursing

   Is there an admission criteria or nurse/pt ratio listed in your nursing requirements/job descriptions? If so, then the facility can be held liable for this---do a little digging, maybe see what they advertise on line etc.

7. To tell or not to tell!

   firstinfamily replied to XNavyCorpsman's topic in Relations

   Instead of calling out individual nurses, it is something that perhaps has been "accepted" as standard practice on this unit. Has a new manager taken over recently? Do you have a Quality Assurance team/person you can address the issues with? It s...

8. Intimitaded by day shift position, vent...

   firstinfamily replied to Seas's topic in General Nursing

   I think every nurse goes through this when changing shifts. The focus on each shift is different, having the MDs available on day shift also makes it an opportune time to learn more. The flow of patients is different on day shift, and I found littl...

9. Central line dressing days

   firstinfamily replied to ngodin's topic in General Nursing

   WE still have an IV team in place who change all central line dressings and central line tubing. Nursing staff is not to touch either of these.

10. My ER Rant

    firstinfamily replied to us2uk4u's topic in General Nursing

    At my facility, I get upset when the stroke patients are told by the ER staff they can have something to eat when they get up to the floor. Its not like I have a swallow test ready to give them before they want something to eat, and I don't have any...

11. first RN paycheck?

    firstinfamily replied to nauticaburt561's topic in General Nursing

    You know it has been so long, I really don't remember. I most likely put some towards my student loans, paid rent and put some in the bank to enjoy later!!! It is a decent living, but I don't think any of us have ever made more than we could spend ...

12. Help choosing, Homecare or Dialysis?

    firstinfamily replied to JennyMac's topic in General Nursing

    I interviewed for Fresenius in my area and went through about a month of interviews before I accepted a different hospital position. From what I was told working dialysis can be very long hours, so perhaps more than 12 a shift. It is a controlled e...

13. Calling an MD during night shift

    firstinfamily replied to stepwintention's topic in Relations

    The SBAR tool for communication has been mentioned here and it is very helpful as an organizational tool. It is great when you can cluster the phone calls together. When there is an acute change and you need orders, you call. Never feel that it ...

14. Nonsedated Pt's equal self extubations

    firstinfamily replied to RunninOnCoffee's topic in General Nursing

    We stopped using restraints on our intubated pts about 5 years ago, there are some who extubate themselves when the sedation wears off. We also follow-up with incident reports, sometimes it makes changes happen, sometimes it does not. This is a ver...

15. MO Private Practice RN to work in Hospital (on behalf of priv. pract)

    firstinfamily replied to liscampbell's topic in General Nursing

    This is happening in Maryland, but the nurses are NPs and able to prescribe, do orders under their MDs guidance. They do not partake in the hospital regulations that apply to nursing staff who are employed by the hospital. Your employer will be the...